Aer Lingus has won three awards in a competition judged by travel agencies, including Best Business Class, where the runner up was British Airways.

Aer Lingus also won the best Ireland-Europe airline award, beating off competition from British Midland.

The competition, which is sponsored by Irish Travel Trade News, is judged by staff from 460 travel agencies in the Republic. The best sun holiday tour operator category was won by Falcon Holidays.

Paris was voted best city destination, but Prague was a close second. Irish Ferries retained its place in the best ferry company category.